Vuoristorata
Encyclopedia
Vuoristorata is a roller coaster
in the Finnish
amusement park Linnanmäki
. It opened on July 13, 1951 and was designed as a temporary attraction for the Linnanmäki park, opened in 1950. One of the main reasons for its construction was to attract tourists of the 1952 Summer Olympics
in Helsinki. Since then, its temporary status was renewed for extended periods, until eventually it was regarded as a permanent structure. It is the most legendary amusement ride in Finland, and a symbol of the Linnanmäki park; even the old park logo has a shape representing the lifts of Vuoristorata. "Vuoristorata" is simply "roller coaster" in Finnish (literally: vuoristo = mountain range, rata = track; mountain range track). Vuoristorata has never had a name differing from the general word used for roller coaster rides.
Vuoristorata is also notable for its features. It is actually a copy of another roller coaster, Rutschebanen opened in 1932, in Dyrehavsbakken
, Denmark
. Valdemar Lebeck, the man who designed both of these tracks (and a few others), simply took the original blueprints of Rutschebanen, which had been downscaled due to changes in location, and designed Vuoristorata. Back in the 1950s, Rutschebanen and Vuoristorata were the two tallest roller coasters in Europe. Furthermore, Vuoristorata was the last roller coaster in the world to use side friction
technology.
Vuoristorata has been carefully maintained through the years. Apart from the cars, nothing remains of the original structure. All the wooden parts have been replaced at least five times. The subsequent restorations have been done while carefully maintaining the original layout; all the wooden parts are replacements but are consistent with the coaster's original design and character. Since 1951, Vuoristorata has been the most popular ride at Linnanmäki every year.
Vuoristorata is among the few roller coasters in the world to have been given the classic status by the American Coaster Enthusiasts
(ACE) club.
It is also operated by a brakeman - as Rutschebanen on Dyrehavsbakken was until the end of the 2009 season, as well as a handful of other rollercosters around Europe and one in Australia.
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
in the Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
amusement park Linnanmäki
Linnanmäki
Linnanmäki is an amusement park in Helsinki, Finland. It was opened on May 27, 1950 and is owned by non-profit Lasten Päivän Säätiö . Linnanmäki has 44 different rides of different sizes...
. It opened on July 13, 1951 and was designed as a temporary attraction for the Linnanmäki park, opened in 1950. One of the main reasons for its construction was to attract tourists of the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
in Helsinki. Since then, its temporary status was renewed for extended periods, until eventually it was regarded as a permanent structure. It is the most legendary amusement ride in Finland, and a symbol of the Linnanmäki park; even the old park logo has a shape representing the lifts of Vuoristorata. "Vuoristorata" is simply "roller coaster" in Finnish (literally: vuoristo = mountain range, rata = track; mountain range track). Vuoristorata has never had a name differing from the general word used for roller coaster rides.
Dyrehavsbakken
Dyrehavsbakken , commonly referred to as Bakken , is the world's oldest operating amusement park. It is located near Klampenborg but belongs under Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune, Denmark about 10 km north of Copenhagen...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. Valdemar Lebeck, the man who designed both of these tracks (and a few others), simply took the original blueprints of Rutschebanen, which had been downscaled due to changes in location, and designed Vuoristorata. Back in the 1950s, Rutschebanen and Vuoristorata were the two tallest roller coasters in Europe. Furthermore, Vuoristorata was the last roller coaster in the world to use side friction
Side friction roller coaster
A side friction roller coaster is an early roller coaster design that does not have an extra set of wheels under the track to prevent cars from becoming airborne. Before the invention of up-stop wheels, coaster cars were built to run in a trough, with wheels under the car and side plates to help...
technology.
Vuoristorata has been carefully maintained through the years. Apart from the cars, nothing remains of the original structure. All the wooden parts have been replaced at least five times. The subsequent restorations have been done while carefully maintaining the original layout; all the wooden parts are replacements but are consistent with the coaster's original design and character. Since 1951, Vuoristorata has been the most popular ride at Linnanmäki every year.
Vuoristorata is among the few roller coasters in the world to have been given the classic status by the American Coaster Enthusiasts
American Coaster Enthusiasts
The American Coaster Enthusiasts is an organization dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of roller coasters. Membership is open to anyone with payment of yearly dues, and membership benefits may include discounted admission to certain amusement parks...
(ACE) club.
It is also operated by a brakeman - as Rutschebanen on Dyrehavsbakken was until the end of the 2009 season, as well as a handful of other rollercosters around Europe and one in Australia.